Core i5-8257U vs Core i7-4950HQ

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-8257U vs Core i7-4950HQ FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-8257U vs Core i7-4950HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-8257U

2019

Why buy it

✅+30.6% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 1W instead of 47W, a 46W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-4950HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (842 vs 1,100).
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (3,317 vs 4,017).
❌4600% higher power demand at 47W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8257U better than Core i7-4950HQ?

Yes. Core i5-8257U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 21.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 0.3% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8257U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8257U is the stronger fit. You are getting 21.1% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-8257U still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-8257U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-8257U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8257U vs Core i7-4950HQ Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-8257U

The Core i5-8257U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,427 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-4950HQ

The Core i7-4950HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,405 points. Launch price was $657.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8257U and Core i7-4950HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-8257U versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4950HQ — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i5-8257U (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-8257U uses the Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4950HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8257U scores 7,427 against the Core i7-4950HQ's 7,405 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-8257U. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 4,017 vs 3,317 (19.1% advantage for the Core i5-8257U). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,100 vs 842, a 26.6% lead for the Core i5-8257U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,000 vs 3,317 (18.7% advantage for the Core i5-8257U). L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-8257U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4950HQ.

Feature	Core i5-8257U	Core i7-4950HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+8%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	2.4 GHz+71%
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-U (2018−2019)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,427	7,405
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,017+21%	3,317
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100+31%	842
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,000+21%	3,317

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8257U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4950HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-8257U versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-4950HQ — the Core i5-8257U supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: 300 Series (Core i5-8257U) and HM87,QM87 (Core i7-4950HQ).

Feature	Core i5-8257U	Core i7-4950HQ
Socket	FCBGA1528	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-8257U) vs Yes (Core i7-4950HQ). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 (Core i5-8257U) and Iris Pro Graphics 5200 (Core i7-4950HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8257U targets Ultrabook.

Feature	Core i5-8257U	Core i7-4950HQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645	Iris Pro Graphics 5200
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	Ultrabook	—